TNAG-0774-FCO40-978-Redevelopment-of-the-former-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-Station-1978 — Page 76

3.

2

(1) No provision for acquisition of land to implement town

planning proposals and for compensation other than through

the Crown Lands (Resumption) Ordinance;

(i) The long period (sometimes as much as 9 years) for statutory

plans to be approved by the Governor-in-Council;

(j)

(k) No provision for interim development control during the period when town plans are being prepared for particular

districts;

(1)

In cases of sites zonod for public use, no provision to compensate owners for loss in the period awaiting resumption

by Government;

(m) No provision for planning proposals to take precedence

Jan

over lease conditions.

Ja

In

In the early 1970's, the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute the only professional town planning institute in Hong Kong felt that it should examine the existing town planning legislation in Hong Kong with a view to putting forward to the Hong Kong Government its recommendations for any necessary amendments to it. recent year, there has been a growing public desire for better environment, combined with a demand for more educational, recreational, social and other community facilities. The mass media and local pressure groups have often aroused public interest and demanded more public participation in town planning decisions. In March 1973, the Hong Kong Brench compiled a report entitled: "A Review of the Hong Kong Town Planning Ordinance, Chapter 131" to study and make known what the Branch considered to be the inadequacies of the Ordinance. This report formed the basis for discussion at the Branch's seminar on "The Law In Relation to Town Planning" which was held on 23rd June 1973 at the University of Hong Kong.

4.

The Seminar was well attended by members of the Branch, interested persons from Government departments and professional institutes, members of the Town Planning Board (the statutory body constituted under the Town Planning Ordinance to be responsible for the preparation of statutory town plans as directed by the Governor), members of the public including many lawyers, and academic staff of the University. The principal resolutions

of the Seminar were as follows :

Con tn'd-